Operating Costs (Betriebskosten)
Operating costs and service charges in German tenancy law: Which costs can be passed on to tenants? Everything about § 556 BGB and the Operating Costs Ordinance.
Financial
§ 556 BGB, BetrKV
Also known as: service charges, ancillary costs, running costs
Operating costs (Betriebskosten) are the ongoing costs incurred by the owner through ownership of a building or plot of land through its intended use. The German Operating Costs Ordinance (BetrKV) defines 17 allocable cost categories. The annual statement must be issued within 12 months after the end of the billing period; otherwise, the landlord can no longer claim additional payments.